The impetus? Money, of course, with each school being guaranteed about $2 million each year for the deal, starting in 2010, according to Spokesman-Review sources.

Finances are tight right now, but this seems like a trial balloon that is going to get gunned down by fans on both sides of the state. Husky faithful have already railed against the idea of playing games at Qwest Field. Cougar fans couldn’t possibly be pleased with the notion of taking away their home-field advantage in Martin Stadium.

Nick Daschel, a long-time Pac-10 reporter, outlines his reasoning why the whole idea stinks in this column on bustersports.com.